Paintings With Soul

In process, "Still Waters (Bear)," 16" x 20", acrylics on museum quality panel, commissioned portrait of Bear, a Golden Retriever I've painted more often than my own dog, acrylics on a museum quality panel. Ask nicely if you would like one of these portraits starring your pet . View In Process Photos I've been working on Bear's wet coat, the reflections of light, and the contrast balance for most of the day. Doesn't he look absolutely wonderful?! The end is in sight, very very close, but I'm starting to get cross eyed. While I am eager to sign this painting, I am also very aware of the dangers of pressing forward when my head isn't totally clear. Which was one of the toughest things for me to learn - when I need to fully embrace patience, and when it is necessary to power through a difficult passage. So I am going to set him aside for a little this afternoon. Perhaps I'll do some journaling or work on a small...

View In Process Photos I Want a Portrait Too "Mimi," 12" x 106", acrylics on museum quality panel, a still life depicting a lovely long haired dame, private collection (THANK YOU!). Mimi was adopted at the ripe age of 17 and spent 6 beautiful years with her family before passing away recently. Her Mom requested a portrait that depicted her as a dignified and mature lady. She particularly wanted a scruffier look to Mimi's fur, and I was secretly delighted because that meant I could use even MORE color. Mimi had a distinctive furrowed brow that made her look grumpy, but she was just the opposite.  It was even more fun having her on my easel because of that expression. I hope my portrait prompts many fond memories for her family. Thanks, as always, for following along with my artwork, Kim

Sprinkler, 12" x 16," the newest Water Dog painting starring a very wet yellow lab, acrylics on museum quality panel, $629. Inquiries may come  to me .     It was tedious, getting each of those droplets painted, but I cranked up a new symphonic playlist that The Man Child inspired (including Khachaturian's  Waltz from Maskarade , Mussagorsky's  Pictures at An Exhibition , and Shostakovich 's Waltzs among others) and had a grande time.   Comment on the painting's progression over on FB, where  there's lots of in process photos .   Happy weekend, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

Untitled and in process, 12" x 16," depiction of a yellow lab playing in the sprinkler (sprinkler not yet painted!), done in acrylics on museum quality panel, $629. Inquiries may come  to me .     Last night at my demo, I was so eager to talk painting that I completely flaked on taking photos!! But this is what I started and includes a couple hours of additional work today - I'm taking a little break for chocolate before starting on the water droplets.    Comment on the progression over on FB, where  I'm sharing photos of the painting  over the course of the day. Feel free to chime in on a title over there too!!   We talked about color and value, committing to becoming a better artist, setting realistic goals to make that happen, using photos (only with permission!) for inspiration and allowing a dialogue with the composition that fosters artistic license, and the importance of good footwear (I was sporting a favorite pai...

    I know this is late - so sorry!! I got so caught up in the end-of-sumer-vacation-celebrations that I totally flaked on doing a September calendar. I am far from perfect, but that was established a long, long time ago!!   To implement this month's desktop calendar, download the file  directly from my website . I've set up a couple different ways to do this, either via the photo album or a direct link.   I am by no means an expert on the variety of operating systems, so I highly recommend that if you don't know how to change your desktop wallpaper, don't email me for advice. Instead consult your computer's help files - they will be more concise, more knowledgeable and more responsive than I could ever hope to be.    I've sized this to fit a standard screen height of 768 - I realize there are lots of variables that could impact how the file displays on your screen. Let me know if, once you get the file installed, there a...

    "Zzzzzz," from the "Play Ball" series, 10" square, portrait of a golden retriever napping with a ball, acrylics on museum quality panel, $539 to the first asking nicely. Inquiries may come  to me  - please and thank you!   For a limited time (until next Wednesday, July 3rd), prints of "Zzzzzz" are available through  my FineArtAmerica storefront .   In process photos  were shared  and much fun was had by all over on Facebook.   Meanwhile, if you want to see your dog translated to paint, send pics of him/her playing ball  to me! ! (I gotta put in the legal stuff - pics must have been taken by you and by submitting photos you are transferring rights to me only for creating derivative work from said photos and guaranteeing that such rights are yours to transfer.)   Thanks for supporting my artwork! Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com   PSST , I have all sorts of other im...

    "Precocious," 9" x 12", portrait of a stinking cute German Shorthaired Pointer puppy, acrylics on museum quality panel, available to the first asking nicely for $549.   Ask nicely by  emailing me !   In process pics are  here .   And if this little guy doesn't find a home soon, I'll send him off to a local exhibition. Because while I love shipping and sharing my art around the country, I also think it's important to support art groups close to my own stomping grounds.   And now I'm off to teach tonite's grownUPs Journaling class, where will will be using lyrics as a starting point to create collages. $20 says I come home with glue in my hair.   Thanks so much for following along with my artwork! Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

  "Beamer," 6" x 6", commissioned portrait of a ridiculously cute mixed breed stinker, acrylics on museum quality panel, private collection (THANK YOU!!).   Want a pet portrait of your own? What are you waiting for?  email me !   In process pics of Beamer's portrait are on  the studio Facebook page  - and thanks to my new iPhone, I can create separate photo albums for the paintings, making it easier for you (moving forward) to locate the in process pics of a specific piece!! Yeah for iPhones!!   Thanks so much for following along with my artwork! Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com   Last Chance to Order!!     This poster was created specifically to benefit the dancers at  Broadway Dance Studio  (where The Princess studies), and it features a beautiful full color reproduction of my painting " Dress Rehearsal ." Proceeds from poster sales are earmarked for the team's trip t...

      "Lewis," 18 x 24", acrylics on museum quality cradeled panel, depicting a very beloved Golden Retriever.   I worked over the weekend on Lewis' portrait, getting final approval from my client on Saturday evening. It will be especially rewarding to get this piece into their home.   In process pics of Lewis are  here  on the studio's Facebook page.   And honestly, if you want to commission something extra special and extra large (Lewis is larger than life) -  email me . Let's talk.   And if you aren't yet convinced, stay tuned - I have a lifesized equine portrait waiting on the sidelines.     It promises to be a busy week in the Santini household. We've got two days off school, drumline practices, lacrosse conditioning, dance team dress rehearsal and a dance convention and competition.   Somewhere in-between all this I will complete four portraits and do some self...

  HAPPY NEW YEAR!!   To implement this month's desktop calendar, simply download the file  directly from my website . I've set up a couple different ways to do this, either via the photo album or a direct link.   I am by no means an expert on the variety of operating systems, so I highly recommend that if you don't know how to change your desktop wallpaper, don't email me for advice. Instead consult your computer's help files - they will be more concise, more knowledgeable and more responsive than I could ever hope to be.    I've sized this to fit a standard screen height of 768 - I realize there are lots of variables that could impact how the file displays on your screen. Let me know if, once you get the file installed, there are display quality issues (keep in mind, too, that options such as "stretching to fit," "tiling" and "cropping" will impact your display, so check those first!).   Meanwhil...

    "Repose," 5" x 7," depicting a friend's golden retriever lounging in her studio, acrylics on a museum quality panel. Sacha's portrait is headed to an exhibition, so not immediately available for purchase.   However, if you must have him (and I know how that is!)  shoot me an email and I'll put you in touch with the exhibition coordinators.   And if you would like to order notecards or reproductions, you can do so  here .   This painting went through some interesting changes - first a striped couch, then a solid pink cushion, before finally settling on a vintage pineapple pattern. After all, pineapples represent hospitality and friendliness, and who's better at making you feel welcome than golden retrievers? You can view photographs of the painting's progress and comment or ask questions on  the studio Facebook page .   Fondly Kim, who is thinking of sprucing up her front entrance to make it mo...

  "Maggie Kitten," image approximately 10" x 5" roughly centered on a 12" x 9" piece of bristol board, done in acrylics, depicting little Maggie and her spotted belly, Private collection.   ORDER REPRODUCTIONS/NOTECARDS     I suspect Maggie's painting will quickly become a favorite, so I loaded her up onto  FineArtAmerica,  where you can order reproductions and notecards.   There's lots of other paintings there, too (I have well over 200). I recently added a gallery exclusively for  images new to the site , to make it easier for regular visitors to see what's changed.   And if you don't see what you want, let me know - I'll be happy to add it if I can!   Enjoy your weekend, Kim, who is grateful to have another opportunity this evening to hear the Lake Orion Marching Band play (did you hear they placed 2nd in the State last weekend?!!). Oh yeah, and to watch some excellent high schoo...

    "Stick It," 6" x 13", acrylic on museum quality panel, depicting two dogs (a black lab and a golden retriever) and a stick, $539. In process pics are on  the studio Facebook page . Meanwhile, inquiries may come  to me .   I did think that this one was going to get trashed**- as I painted and made adjustments, the dogs' faces just kept getting bigger and bigger, and things got out of control.   But, somehow, I managed to reel it in and keep them contained on this little board. And while the resulting close crop was unintended, it makes you feel as though they are right there in the water with you, right in your face. And I sorta like that.   Fondly, Kim, who is ready to for the best stress relief ever - cheering on The Caped Crusader's football team. Go Dragons!!**** ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com   **For the record, I DO paint over at least one piece every week. I happen to learn best by messing ...

  I cannot believe it's nearly here!   ArtPrize  opens in a matter of weeks, and the final preparations have begun.  Elizabeth St Hilaire Nelson  and I are delivering our work to the  MVP Metro Club  in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan on September 19th.   My "Cherish" series will compliment her "Noah's Ark" pieces, along with a pairing of koi and bunnies that we created in our own style specifically for ArtPrize. (Pictured above is my "Flopsy Bunny," a 9" x 12" portrait on panel, which will be joined in Grand Rapids by Elizabeth's  "Flopsy." )   There will be over 1500 artists showing their work within a 3 square mile area of Grand Rapids. In addition to juried prizes, the viewing public will choose award winners via texted votes, a la American Idol style. It promises to be exciting and inspiring for both artists and visitors.   For more information, visit  the ArtPrize website . And s...

  "Hardley A. Hadley!!" 6" square, acrylic on museum quality panel, depicting a dapper and delightful Pomeranian. This painting is a commissioned portrait and will be headed to his new home shortly (and is ALSO a gift, so shush please!!) - however,  let me know  if you want one for yourself!!   It's been an exhausting - but fun - week. Between daily 8 hour Marching Band practices that required dinner deliveries, daily football practices and 3 games (with the varsity team playing tomorrow on the Detroit Lions home field), and choreography week for the dance team (also complete with meal deliveries), I've enjoyed total immersion in each of my kids' activites.   And now we are headed into a long weekend that will be packed with family time and, despite complaints, earlier, back-to-school preparatory curfews.   How can the summer be over with? Didn't we just start this?   Kim, who's not really counting, but noticed ...

"What a Lady," image approximately 6" x 8", paper size 8" x 10", a special commission from a group of friends depicting a certain birthday girl's beautiful chestnut mare "Lady." This piece was done in Golden Open Acrylics on multimedia artboard, a fabulous surface that I enjoy using for sketches. Reproductions and notecards of "What a Lady" can be ordered via my FineArtAmerica storefront. I offer what I call "Painted Sketches" as a lower cost alternative to my traditional Dog a Day portraits. Painted Sketches are still done in color, with my Golden paints, but they are on paper (acid free, museum quality still - only the best will do in these parts!!) instead of a panel. These can be sized to match your budget (or a standard frame), take less time to prep (and finish!), and are easy to mail - yet they remain just as charming and delightful as the Dog a Day paintings. So if the cost of a commissioned Dog a Day has been...